August 30, 2013

here was a new location for this year’s bowshoot. The Black Hawk Creek Wildlife Area north of Morrison was the place. But everything else that makes the bowshoot a success was the same. The same great shooters of all shapes, sizes, sexes, and ages showed up to test their archery skills on August 17 and 18. What were the days like? Near PERFECT! They started off cool and this year mosquito free! If you’ve been involved in planning events – especially outdoor events, then you know that you worry about the weather. You worry about publicity. You worry about turnout. You worry. Add to that the worry that comes with changing locations for that event. And the headaches that had occurred with the scramble to have everything ready after the spring flooding that wrecked havoc with the course. A course that had been laid out only last fall. Well, all the worry paid off. I don’t know if it actually paid off but it ended in a super event with the course, location, and event receiving multiple compliments. The day started early for Conservation Board staff. The registration area needed to be ready for the shooters that would be arriving for the 7:30 AM registration. Only they began to arrive shortly after 7AM! As I said, there were shooters of all shapes and sizes. That’s one of the things that I like about the event. You can participate and enjoy the shoot whether you are sporting thousands of dollars of equipment or the $50 bow you bought from your uncle years ago. The course included shots in prairie and woodland conditions. The targets were many and varied. From the comments, the archers enjoyed themselves and found the course challenging and more importantly fun. Out of a total 400 points, the results were: Men’s Open 1st 390, Jason Geodken Oelwein, IA ($50 Scheels gift card) 2nd 376, Dan Yoder Webster City, IA 3rd 373, Kody Nielsen Earlham, IA Men’s Bowhunter 1st 371, Al Snyder Elk Run, IA ($50 Scheels gift card) 2nd 367, Matt Welsh Redfield, IA 3rd 364, Michael Smith Newton, IA Men’s Traditional 1st 319, Don Stangeland Stanhope, IA ($50 Scheels gift card) 2n 247, Tom Murphy Marshalltown, IA 3rd 238, Dayne Watson Reinbeck, IA Women 1st 382, Amber Ralston Oelwein, IA ($50 Scheels gift card) 2nd 345, Sara Weissenfluh Hudson, IA 3rd 314, Christine Farley Reinbeck, IA Youth 1st 360, Zach Snyder Elk Run, IA ($25 Scheels gift card) 2nd 360, Kevin Rewoldt Reinbeck, IA 3rd 257, Braeden Farmer Cedar Falls,IA Orange Dot Challenge Winner - Darren Gerdts Marshalltown, IA A more complete list of winners can be found by going to www.grundycounty.org. Scheels representatives were present to demo bows and answer questions. And Scheels generously provided the prizes for each of the categories and the orange dot challenge. They also funded several new targets for this year’s event. Don’t let another year go by. If you haven’t yet attended this event, plan to be at next year’s event.